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Eye on Boise: Medicaid cuts’ impact coming clear
BOISE – Idaho’s former state chief economist Mike Ferguson estimates that the $35 million in state funds cut from Medicaid this year – which with federal matching funds adds up to $100 million – had a direct impact of eliminating about 2,000 jobs in Idaho. “Those dollars are no longer circulating in the economy,” he said. For economic impact, he said, “You can probably effectively double that. So basically we’ve taken probably somewhere equivalent to 4,000 jobs out by making those cuts.”
Tea partyers to challenge 3 veteran Idaho GOP legislators
BOISE – A trio of tea party sympathizers is challenging three longtime GOP incumbents in North Idaho’s legislative District 1, as Idaho gears up for its first closed Republican primary this year. Pam Stout, president of the area’s Tea Party Patriots group, is challenging state Rep. George Eskridge, R-Dover, who’s seeking a seventh term in the state House. She’s made a splash with her tea party involvement in the past two years, appearing on the David Letterman show and being interviewed by the New York Times, though this is her first run for office.
Bill would delay Idaho’s primary from May to August
Idaho lawmakers on the House State Affairs Committee voted unanimously this morning to introduce two bills dealing with this year’s primary election: One from committee Chairman Tom Loertscher, R-Iona, to delay the state’s primary from May to August while also doing away with the presidential primary; and one from Secretary of State Ben Ysursa to just do away with the presidential primary; it no longer serves any purpose since both parties now choose their presidential delegates by caucuses.
Idaho high court overturns redistricting, may delay primary
BOISE – Idaho’s Supreme Court overturned the state’s new legislative redistricting plan Wednesday, ordering a citizen commission back to work and throwing into doubt the state’s schedule for its May primary election. This morning, a House committee will consider legislation to push the May primary back to August; the bill is sponsored by state Rep. Tom Loertscher, R-Iona, chairman of the House State Affairs Committee.
Idaho high court overturns redistricting plan
Idaho’s Supreme Court overturned the state’s new legislative redistricting plan Wednesday, ordering a citizen commission back to work and throwing into doubt the state’s schedule for its May primary election.
Elections, redistricting likely to play big role in Idaho
BOISE – As Idaho lawmakers head into an election-year session, they’re facing big decisions. Lawmakers and Gov. Butch Otter budgeted so conservatively last year that they’re now sitting on a $130 million surplus, even as health care services for the poor have been slashed, universities, schools and state agencies have seen their funding drop sharply and state employees have gone without raises.
Hart lawyer says state law trumps feds’ lawsuit
BOISE – Tax-protesting Idaho state Rep. Phil Hart has cited his status as a state legislator numerous times in seeking delays in his court fights over paying state and federal income taxes he owes, pointing to the state constitution’s clause protecting lawmakers from civil actions during sessions. Now he’s using it as an argument for dismissing a federal lawsuit to foreclose on his Athol home for back federal taxes. In Hart’s reply to the federal lawsuit, in which the Department of Justice is seeking to foreclose on the home to pay off more than a half-million dollars in back taxes, interest and penalties, his attorney charged that the IRS claim is “barred” because a “notice of deficiency” was sent to Hart while the Legislature was in session.